Psalm 56

Psalm 56New International Version (NIV)

For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

1 Be merciful to me, my God,for my enemies are in hot pursuit;all day long they press their attack.2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;in their pride many are attacking me.

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.4 In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.What can mere mortals do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words;all their schemes are for my ruin.6 They conspire, they lurk,they watch my steps,hoping to take my life.7 Because of their wickedness do not[c] let them escape;in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8 Record my misery;list my tears on your scroll[d]—are they not in your record?9 Then my enemies will turn backwhen I call for help.By this I will know that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise,in the Lord, whose word I praise—11 in God I trust and am not afraid.What can man do to me?

12 I am under vows to you, my God;I will present my thank offerings to you.13 For you have delivered me from deathand my feet from stumbling,that I may walk before Godin the light of life.

Psalm 140-142

Psalm 140-142New International Version (NIV)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Rescue me,Lord, from evildoers;protect me from the violent,2 who devise evil plans in their heartsand stir up war every day.3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;the poison of vipers is on their lips.[b]

4 Keep me safe,Lord, from the hands of the wicked;protect me from the violent,who devise ways to trip my feet.5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;they have spread out the cords of their netand have set traps for me along my path.

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,you shield my head in the day of battle.8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;do not let their plans succeed.

9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;may the mischief of their lips engulf them.10 May burning coals fall on them;may they be thrown into the fire,into miry pits, never to rise.11 May slanderers not be established in the land;may disaster hunt down the violent.

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poorand upholds the cause of the needy.13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,and the upright will live in your presence.

Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;hear me when I call to you.2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a guard over my mouth,Lord;keep watch over the door of my lips.4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evilso that I take part in wicked deedsalong with those who are evildoers;do not let me eat their delicacies.

5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.My head will not refuse it,for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,from the snares they have laid for me.10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,while I pass by in safety.

1 I cry aloud to the Lord;I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.2 I pour out before him my complaint;before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me,it is you who watch over my way.In the path where I walkpeople have hidden a snare for me.4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;no one is concerned for me.I have no refuge;no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, Lord;I say, “You are my refuge,my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry,for I am in desperate need;rescue me from those who pursue me,for they are too strong for me.7 Set me free from my prison,that I may praise your name.Then the righteous will gather about mebecause of your goodness to me.

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